Wall Rose—humanity's second defensive barrier. Within its southern district of Trost, Lucien Graves stood quietly inside a luxurious shop that towered higher than its neighbors, watching as the shop owner inspected a dagger embedded with ruby and sapphire gems.
"So, it's been five years since Wall Maria was breached?" Lucien asked.
The merchant nodded while examining the dagger under a magnifying lens, his tone eager and respectful. "Strictly speaking, it's three months short of five years," he said, eyes reflecting the dagger's brilliance. The weapon's craftsmanship was extraordinary—its blade made of pure gold, and the gems the size of eyeballs. Even for one of the top ten guilds within Wall Rose and Wall Sina, the man had never seen such a treasure.
Lucien's expression darkened slightly. If his memory was correct, in three months, the Colossal Titan would appear and breach Wall Rose, plunging this district into chaos.
That meant the Armored Titan Reiner, Colossal Titan Bertholdt, Female Titan Annie, Jaw Titan Ymir, and Eren Yeager—the Child of Destiny who would awaken both the Attack Titan and Founding Titan—were all still within the Training Corps.
"Three months," Lucien murmured, tapping his finger thoughtfully against the counter.
The merchant hesitated, eyes gleaming with greed. "How much are you asking for this dagger?"
Lucien looked up calmly. "I don't need money," he said. "Find me a quiet residence with a yard near the wall. Somewhere less populated. Have food delivered three times a day. That will suffice until I enlist in the Garrison Regiment, roughly three months from now."
The merchant's interest deepened. "You plan to join the Garrison Regiment?"
Lucien nodded. "That's right."
In this world, four major military divisions existed:
The Training Corps, where recruits began their careers under the watchful eyes of instructors.
The Survey Corps, humanity's bravest—those who ventured beyond the walls, often to their deaths.
The Military Police Brigade, the elite guards of the royal capital, living comfortably near the king.
The Garrison Regiment, responsible for defending and maintaining the city walls.
Lucien's true goal wasn't the corps itself—it was the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. Even with Soru and Geppo, that technology could conserve stamina and enhance his mobility.
"I can arrange that," the merchant replied quickly. "But this dagger of yours…"
Lucien calmly placed a single gold coin on the counter. "Is that enough?"
The merchant's eyes widened. The coin's markings were unlike anything he had seen, its texture and luster unlike any metal from within the walls. "More than enough," he said immediately, nodding.
Turning to his assistant, he called, "Atle! Escort this gentleman to residence number thirty-six by the wall."
The transaction concluded smoothly. There was no probing curiosity about where Lucien had obtained such treasures—just greed mixed with awe. Lucien had been prepared to silence the man if necessary, but it seemed this world's people were less reckless than those of One Piece.
"Please, follow me," Atle said respectfully.
After half an hour of walking, they arrived at a small, two-story house with a yard. The grass was overgrown and the air faintly smelled of dust. The property was near a narrow river that curved around the city like a moat.
Few people lived here—too close to the outer gate. The poor and desperate made their homes nearby, knowing they would be the first to die should Titans break through.
Lucien scanned the surroundings carefully. The city gate stood about a thousand meters away, neither too near nor too far. He remembered this exact gate—it would be the one the Colossal Titan shattered three months later. Three months… enough time to master both Soru and Geppo.
With those techniques, even Titans wouldn't pose a true threat. But he still had to be cautious. Someone like Levi Ackerman, the Corps' strongest soldier, could end him before he blinked. And Levi was one of his marked targets.
Atle handed him the key. "Meals will be delivered at six in the morning, noon, and six in the evening."
Lucien nodded silently. Once Atle left, he ascended to the second floor and inspected the rooms. The furniture was clean, and the window gave him a perfect view of the gate below.
"Not bad," he murmured. "Time to start training."
With no time to waste, Lucien stripped off his coat and stepped into the small yard. His body moved automatically, muscles tightening and relaxing with precision as he began his routine.
---
A month passed in quiet discipline.
Lucien trained relentlessly. He ate, slept, and lived in isolation, consuming the meals brought to his door. Most of the food was bland—potatoes, bread, and root vegetables—but his body demanded more. He exchanged two more gold coins for meat, using it to rebuild muscle and recover energy.
Even so, the pace of his progress frustrated him.
"Still too slow," he muttered, drenched in sweat as he practiced Soru beneath the dim sunlight. Each movement left deep footprints in the dirt, the air trembling around him.
He had improved—from eight steps to nine, sometimes even nine and a half—but he still hadn't crossed the final threshold. That last half-step stood between him and true mastery. Geppo remained beyond reach until then.
But his physique had become monstrous. He could now perform over a thousand push-ups and sit-ups in one session. His once ordinary frame had hardened into lean muscle, his abdomen carved with a clean six-pack.
Still, his greatest enemy wasn't exhaustion—it was the disease still burning within him.
The cancer struck five times that month, each wave of pain more unbearable than the last. But Lucien endured it, never halting his training.
Some nights, when the pain faded, he would train inside the nearby river, letting the cold water sharpen his focus and strength.
"Tonight's the first natural month," he muttered, glancing toward the faint light outside his window. "Time to roll the Dice again."
His anticipation was mixed with unease. Luck wasn't something he trusted—not since that humiliating "super spicy laxative" incident from the previous draw.
After finishing dinner, he continued training until midnight before collapsing onto his bed. He opened the glowing system screen before him.
[Rolling Dice...]
The familiar sound echoed in his mind. The Dice spun rapidly, landed on four points, and a streak of light flashed across the interface.
[Reward Acquired: Two One-Meter Diamond Nichirin Blades]
[Description: Forged from pure diamond—razor sharp, dazzlingly clear, and nearly unbreakable. Weight: 2.5 kg each.]
Lucien materialized the weapons in his hands. Under the moonlight, the curved blades shimmered with a crystal-like brilliance.
He exhaled softly. "How extravagant."
The blades resembled short Nepalese kukris, wide and forward-curved. Their clarity reflected every gleam of light. Even a strand of hair falling across the edge was instantly severed.
They were his second set of weapons—the first being his standard Type-92 pistol. Firearms and blades—cold and hot, precise and brutal.
Their combined value in his previous world would have exceeded hundreds of millions of Berries.
"Perfect timing," he whispered, sliding the blades back into their sheaths. "Even fate's mockery has its uses."
Still, something about it gnawed at him. The timing of the Ymir bloodline, this world's appearance, and the pattern of rewards—all too deliberate.
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
"This system…" he muttered under his breath, gaze darkening, "…you're not as simple as you pretend to be."
The moonlight flickered faintly against the blades in his hands.
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